Proposal: GPS to be used for mileage tax

Just like trucks paying monthly IFTA state taxes.

Any "new" tax is a waste of time. Just another way for the government to get more money to waste.

If you don't believe they waste it, then tell me what planet your on, because on this one any government program is a waste.

The additional cost to a new car might average $1000 for the GPS unit that is capable of transmitting distance traveled. It would be a nightmare to coordinate, and what about all of the older cars that do not have the technology. How will the government collect from them. But that just my opinion.

They could collect tax base on our odometer readings. They could place a high flat tax for cars don't have a GPS.

Further more, The fuel taxes will likely still be there after they have the new mileage tax added. They will find any possible ways to get us pay more tax.

People who choose/need to drive environmentally unfriendly cars will naturally pay more due to higher gasoline usage. People should be encouraged, not discouraged, from purchasing and using vehicles with better mileage.

How much aluminum foil over the antenna will it take to block the sat signals?

I think this is just one of those legends people like to talk about.

Probably no more than 2 full rolls but it definitely must be Alcoa Wrap.

Because Oregon's fuel tax is relatively high, apparently many people who are near the border go out of state to fill up where it is cheaper.

With people driving fewer miles and cars being more fuel efficient, these terrible citizens have driven the state into a money losing situation vis-a-vis gas taxes which are used to fund road repairs and such.

So Oregon has been considering something like this to capture lost tax revenue from citizens who purchase fuel out of state - they'd track your in-state mileage and a central database would know when you last paid.

http://techdirt.com/articles/20081230/1926303261.shtml

Updates and charges would be imputed when you fill up. The system would communicate via the gas station using wireless technology.

They would add the outstanding taxes to your fuel bill - consider the sticker shock when you go to put in $10 in gas to get to the out of state station and you get hit with $250 in fuel taxes!!

Most of what they need, hardware-wise is in lots of cars already; GPS/Bluetooth/some memory and so on. For wider area comms, use GSM - GM cars are all equipped with it; transceivers cost about $13.

Obviously there are some potentially insidious potential byproducts to the concepts; automated ticketing; surveilance; location-based speed control and so on.

Wanna bet that if the system can't see the satellites it woouldn't let you drive? It will be deemed a 'critical service'.

Of course it is all simply madness, which almost guarantees that it will be come yet another conduit to fill government coffers so they can have yet more money to line their pockets.

You pay about 15% in taxes to buy your GPS receiver.
You pay about 15% in taxes to buy your car.
You pay about 15% in taxes to buy your fuel.
You decide which GPS unit, car, and fuel make sense for your budget.
Tax code is no longer a power base for lawyers.
Government becomes smaller.
Accountants no longer die from stress induced heart attacks in early April.
We all wiin.
Jen

We'll have a chance in 2010 to replace some of these tax hungry politicians. It won't happen if we don't all get involved and vote.

It won't generate any increased bottom line income for the state(s). The state will have the added expense of collecting the data, collating it by vehicle/owner, sending out the tax bills and processing the payments. It would be a very expensive program with little to no payback. Just what governments like.

Next comes the question of who pays the tax. With road tax the person who buys the fuel pays the tax. But with this system the registered owner would get the tax bill. What if he isn't the driver is he still responsible for paying the tax? Well, we answered this question with red-light/speed cameras. If you own the car, its your fault.

With all the problems and the limited return, I would be willing to bet my paycheck this system will be implemented somewhere within the next 10 years. Its just what the governments like.

Jack j

It may well not create bottom line ehancements for the states, but it will make a bunch of politicians' friends very much richer than they already are - and the winners will almost certainly show their appreciation after the politicians' terms in office come to an end.

THAT will be the driving force.

I'm sure this information will only be used for fuel taxes. They would never use it in a criminal prosecution against you. Or link it to the toll system. Or allow non-government personnel access to the information.

My car pleads the fifth. LOL All they need to do now is somehow say that this for the schools to make us feel better.

Vote the pols out of office.

I love it.
But knowing the politian in Washington, I am afraid this will be the new tax IN ADDITION TO the existing tax.